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Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology May 2024To synthesize the terminology utilized in nerve-sparing surgical literature and propose standardized and nonconflicting terms to allow for consistent vocabulary.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize the terminology utilized in nerve-sparing surgical literature and propose standardized and nonconflicting terms to allow for consistent vocabulary.
DESIGN
We performed a literature search on PubMed using the search terms "pelvis" and "nerve-sparing." Nongynecologic surgery and animal studies were excluded. A narrative review was performed, focusing on nerves, fasciae, ligaments, and retroperitoneal spaces. Terms from included papers were discussed by all authors, who are surgeons versed in nerve-sparing procedures and one anatomist, and recommendations were made regarding the most appropriate terms based on the frequency of occurrence in the literature and the possibility of overlapping names with other structures.
RESULTS
224 articles were identified, with 81 included in the full-text review. Overall, 48% of articles focused on cervical cancer and 26% on deeply infiltrating endometriosis. Findings were synthesized both narratively and visually. Inconsistencies in pelvic anatomical nomenclature were prevalent across publications. The structure with the most varied terminology was the rectal branch of the inferior hypogastric plexus with 14 names. A standardized terminology for pelvic autonomic nerve structures, fasciae, ligaments, and retroperitoneal spaces was proposed to avoid conflicting terms.
CONCLUSION
Surgeons and anatomists should use consistent terminology to facilitate increased uptake of nerve-sparing techniques in gynecologic surgery through a better understanding of surgical technique description. We have proposed a standardized terminology believed to facilitate this goal.
PubMed: 38761917
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2024.05.013 -
Anatomical Sciences Education May 2024This paper discusses the historical context of collaborative research and authorship disputes, exemplified by the complex relationship between Dutch anatomist and... (Review)
Review
Analysis of the ethical issues in authorship of collaborative research. Observations inspired by the historical case study of Gerard L. Blaes' (Blasius) claim to sole authorship of 'Anatome medullae spinalis'.
This paper discusses the historical context of collaborative research and authorship disputes, exemplified by the complex relationship between Dutch anatomist and physician Gerard L. Blaes and his East-Central European mentee, Daniel Gödtke, during the study of medulla spinalis. The study employs historical analysis to unravel the dynamics of scholarly collaboration, emphasizing the significance of mentorship in scientific progress and the communal nature of knowledge exchange. This historical analysis is based on primary sources and historical records. It underscores Blaes's strategy to circumvent public confrontations regarding the authorship of the seminal work 'Anatome medullae spinalis, et nervorum inde provenientium' (1666). As a teacher, he facilitated his student's participation in a public disputation to avert public authorship conflicts over the book. This ultimately led to the publication of two distinct versions of 'Anatome medullae spinalis.' The first one was co-authored by the mentor and his mentee, while the latter was solely attributed to the mentor. This historical narrative raises essential questions about attributing individual contributions in medical sciences, echoing concerns still pertinent in contemporary academia. Additionally, it makes visible the power dynamics inherent in faculty-students relationships and the potential repercussions of authorship disputes on scholars' reputations. By drawing parallels between historical and modern authorship dilemmas, this study contributes to ongoing discussions on equitable authorship in scientific research and publishing. It not only highlights a historical precedent for the complex dynamics of mentor-mentee collaborations and authorship disputes but also illuminates how these practices continue to influence contemporary academic and publishing customs.
PubMed: 38750636
DOI: 10.1002/ase.2435 -
Anatomical Science International Apr 2024The development of a standard anatomical language in Spanish dates back to the early stages of medicine, and its significance lies in the necessity for a common... (Review)
Review
The development of a standard anatomical language in Spanish dates back to the early stages of medicine, and its significance lies in the necessity for a common vocabulary to describe the structures of the human body. Anatomists and morphologists have been striving to achieve this goal since the late nineteenth century when the first Anatomical Nomenclature was created in Basel in 1895. Over the years, various versions of the International Anatomical Terminology have been published in Spanish, following the guidelines of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA). These versions have been produced in partnership with the Spanish Anatomical Society and have aimed to adjust the terms to the Spanish language and linguistic rules. The Ibero-Latin American Symposia on Anatomical, Histological, and Embryological Terminology (SILAT) have embraced the naming of morphological structures, keeping in mind the Latin and Greek roots, while respecting the translations accepted by the linguistic rules of the official languages. These symposia stick to the principles of universality, precision in structure description, and consistency in terminology. Despite more than a century of progress in anatomical terminology, there is a need for frequent revisions and adjustments to anatomical terms, particularly when translating them into various languages and because of the high number of international publications related to anatomy. A shared anatomical language is essential for the study and application of anatomy across various medical practices and in undergraduate education. Finally, the establishment of anatomical terminology in Spanish represents a long history of efforts to create a universal and precise language in this field. Despite advancements, the revision and adaptation of anatomical terms remain a continuous challenge to keep up with scientific progress and ensure effective communication in the field of anatomy.
PubMed: 38678164
DOI: 10.1007/s12565-024-00769-3 -
Plant Methods Apr 2024Traditional method of wood species identification involves the use of hand lens by wood anatomists, which is a time-consuming method that usually identifies only at the...
BACKGROUND
Traditional method of wood species identification involves the use of hand lens by wood anatomists, which is a time-consuming method that usually identifies only at the genetic level. Computer vision method can achieve "species" level identification but cannot provide an explanation on what features are used for the identification. Thus, in this study, we used computer vision methods coupled with deep learning to reveal interspecific differences between closely related tree species.
RESULT
A total of 850 images were collected from the cross and tangential sections of 15 wood species. These images were used to construct a deep-learning model to discriminate wood species, and a classification accuracy of 99.3% was obtained. The key features between species in machine identification were targeted by feature visualization methods, mainly the axial parenchyma arrangements and vessel in cross section and the wood ray in tangential section. Moreover, the degree of importance of the vessels of different tree species in the cross-section images was determined by the manual feature labeling method. The results showed that vessels play an important role in the identification of Dalbergia, Pterocarpus, Swartzia, Carapa, and Cedrela, but exhibited limited resolutions on discriminating Swietenia species.
CONCLUSION
The research results provide a computer-assisted tool for identifying endangered tree species in laboratory scenarios, which can be used to combat illegal logging and related trade and contribute to the implementation of CITES convention and the conservation of global biodiversity.
PubMed: 38659006
DOI: 10.1186/s13007-024-01191-6 -
Anatomical Sciences Education Apr 2024The development of anatomy as a scientific undertaking appears to have left little room for religious and cultural input into the conduct of anatomical investigations.... (Review)
Review
The development of anatomy as a scientific undertaking appears to have left little room for religious and cultural input into the conduct of anatomical investigations. This has been brought to the fore by questionnaires regarding the willingness or otherwise of individuals to donate their bodies for dissection, with higher levels of willingness from those without religious affiliations. This has led to the assumption that there is inherent opposition to body donation by those with a religious stance, although there has been little exploration of this. This is increasingly important with growing awareness that anatomy is an international discipline, leading to increasing attention to the religious and cultural contexts within which it is practiced. There is a diversity of responses toward body donation within different countries, as well as by those influenced by Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Additionally, there are diverse cultural attitudes within Confucianism in Asia, Zulu in Africa, and Māori in New Zealand. Even those within the Christian church are influenced by a variety of values, some of which are in tension, with emphasis on the sacredness of life and the significance of burial being negative toward body donation, with informed consent and altruism pointing in a positive direction. The challenge for anatomists is to understand those within their communities, seek to appreciate their perspectives, and also make known the potential of body donation and dissection for enhancing medical practice and improving the education of future health workers.
PubMed: 38634610
DOI: 10.1002/ase.2425 -
Anatomical Sciences Education Jun 2024Anatomy has been integral to medical and health education for centuries, it has also had a significant role in wider public life, as an educational resource, a link to... (Review)
Review
Anatomy has been integral to medical and health education for centuries, it has also had a significant role in wider public life, as an educational resource, a link to their health, and also as a darker deterrent. Historically, public engagement in anatomy is hallmarked by public dissections of convicted criminals across the globe. Artists, specifically non-medical men, such as Leonardo da Vinci, are reported to have participated in public dissection. Dissection would later rekindle public interest in anatomy as graverobbing led to the reform and regulation of anatomy in many countries. In recent years, there has been growing interest from the public in learning more about their bodies as health and well-being become of paramount importance, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Anatomy sits in a prime position to direct and instigate conversations around health, well-being, and body image. Every human on earth possesses a perfect resource to look at and learn about. Models, art-based anatomical activities, and crafts provide active learning opportunities for the wider public around anatomy. Most recently, apps, games, and extended reality provide novel and insightful learning opportunities for the public relating to the body. Finally, training and resources must also be made available from institutions and professional bodies to anatomists to enable them to deliver engagement in an already congested and educationally heavy schedule. This resurgence of interest in anatomical public engagement sees anatomy re-enter the public spotlight, with more appropriate resources and educational settings to offer engagement with the aim of benefiting the public.
Topics: Humans; Anatomy; COVID-19; Dissection
PubMed: 38587085
DOI: 10.1002/ase.2417 -
American Journal of Biological... Jul 2024Mildred Trotter was an anatomist and physical anthropologist whose studies on hair morphology, growth, somatic distribution, and trait relationships to age and...
OBJECTIVES
Mildred Trotter was an anatomist and physical anthropologist whose studies on hair morphology, growth, somatic distribution, and trait relationships to age and ethnogeographic population were foundational to the field of microscopical hair analysis. The collection of human hair samples she assembled for her research has been an underutilized resource for studies on human hair variation. We applied updated methods and reviewed Trotter's original data to reassess the relationship hair traits have to diverse population labels.
METHODS
Hair form and pigmentation patterns were measured from a subset of the hair samples accumulated by Trotter and we compared our data to Trotter's original results. Variability in hair traits were tested within individuals, within populations, and among ethnogeographic groups.
RESULTS
Measured hair cross-section dimensions and melanosome density and distribution revealed substantial variability within individuals and ethnogeographic populations. Hair traits were found to not be distinctly separable by ancestry but instead showed continuous variation across human populations. Trotter's measurements were precise and the dataset she compiled remains valid, though the conclusions should be reviewed in light of our current understanding of human variation.
DISCUSSION
Our findings support moving away from categorical ancestry classifications and eliminating the use of outdated racial typologies in favor of more descriptive trait analysis. Detailed analysis of trait pattern distributions are presented that may be useful for future research on human variation. We point to the need for additional research on human variation and hair trait relationships with reference to known population affinity.
Topics: Humans; Hair; Anthropology, Physical; Hair Color; Female; History, 20th Century; Melanosomes
PubMed: 38581359
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24930 -
Anatomical Science International Apr 2024Anatomy was initially developed out of necessity to decrease surgery complications. Over time, anatomists and surgeons have sometimes used different terms for the same... (Review)
Review
Anatomy was initially developed out of necessity to decrease surgery complications. Over time, anatomists and surgeons have sometimes used different terms for the same anatomical structures, thus resulting in numerous discrepancies in terminology between anatomy and surgery. To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding and to better elucidate the oral anatomy terms, the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) organized a group of specialists on oral anatomy, Terminologia Oroanatomica (ToA) working group, composed of dentists, anatomy researchers, anatomy educators, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Within the ToA working group, major anatomical structures in the mandible, such as the mandibular canal, were focused and discussed to determine the most appropriate term, i.e., inferior alveolar canal. Although yet to be approved by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), this article will preview some changes suggested by the ToA.
PubMed: 38573584
DOI: 10.1007/s12565-024-00764-8 -
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.) Mar 2024TA2Viewer is an open-access, web-based application and database for browsing anatomical terms and associated medical information on a computer or mobile device...
TA2Viewer is an open-access, web-based application and database for browsing anatomical terms and associated medical information on a computer or mobile device (https://ta2viewer.openanatomy.org/). It incorporates the official digital version of the second edition of Terminologia Anatomica (TA2) as published by the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT), and adopted by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) and other associations. It provides a dynamic and interactive view of the Latin and English nomenclatures. The organizational hierarchy of the terminology can be navigated by using a scrollable, expandable, and collapsible structured listing. Interactive search includes the official TA2 terms, synonyms, and related terms. TA2Viewer also uses TA2 term information to provide convenient access to other online resources, including Google web and image searches, PubMed, and Radiopaedia. Using cross-references from Wikidata, which were provided by the Wikipedia community, TA2Viewer offers links to Wikipedia, UBERON, UMLS, FMA, MeSH, NeuroNames, the public domain 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy, and other data sources. In addition, it can optionally use unofficial synonyms from Wikidata to provide multilingual term searches in hundreds of languages. By leveraging TA2, TA2Viewer provides free access to a curated anatomical nomenclature and serves as an index of online anatomical knowledge.
PubMed: 38556919
DOI: 10.1002/ca.24162